A RED-WHITE SURPRISE
SLAVIA—ÚJPEST, 4:0 (2:0)

For the first round of Mitropa Cup 1927, S.K. Slavia would face a big task, even playing in Czech soil. Újpest F.C., on the other hand, was pointed as the favourite team even by the Czechs. Regarding the expectations of the red and white supporters, there were a lot of pessimists this time. However, they knew that S.K. Slavia would have to fight with determination and do whatever they could to reach a good result. To adjust the last disastrous performances of the red and white team, a very well-known internationally coach was hired to take care of specific aspects of the team's training. The red and white team needed someone who would not only improve the condition of the team, but also be able to point out the mistakes they make to the players and teach them how to play tactically. Morever, the most important tasks of the football instructor would be to strengthen discipline and improve team spirit.

About Slavia's moment, a journalist wrote:


Slavia is facing a big task. They must eliminate this great opponent from the competition and ensure that both Czechoslovakian teams advance to the second round.

The task is very difficult, but the team is aware of the great responsibility, in the memories of the famous tradition of their club, which proved itself best in the biggest matches and fought most famously. They have to go into the match with an unbreakable will to win, and throughout the match with the strain of all their strength for one goal: to gain glory for their club and Czechoslovak sport.

The entire Czech sports community trusts that the Slavia team will not disappoint and will fight under all circumstances in order to come out of the match as honestly as possible.


Without Antonín Puč and with their newest signing, coming from S.K. Slovan Wien, František Černický, S.K. Slavia was selected to play the first match of the double clash.

On the Hungarian side, Újpest traveled to Prague with an excellent possibility of winning, due to the latest results and the drop in performance of the S.K. Slavia, an advantageous result for the second match that would be played in Budapest. Through its famous defensive system and the quality that the purple team had on the offensive sides, Újpest was a very strong opponent and they would make a real clash against S.K. Slavia.


Quarter-final, 1st match: 21/08/1927, Sunday, 17:00.
S.K. Slavia — Újpest F.C. 4:0 (2:0)
Place: Stadion Letná, Prague — Referee: Ernest Fábris (Yugoslavia).
Attedance: about 12.000.

S.K. Slavia
Coach: John William Madden.
XI: Plánička — Kummermann, Seifert — Černický, Pleticha(c), Čipera — Bobor, Šoltys, Bejbl, Svoboda, Kratochvíl.

Újpest F.C.
Coach: Imre Pozsonyi.
XI: Beneda — Fogl II., Fogl III.(c) — Wilhelm I., Lutz II., Lutz III. — Ströck, Wilhelm II., Jakube, Schaller, P. Szabó.

Goals: Šoltys(18min), Kratochvíl(32min), Svoboda(65min[penalty]) and Bejbl(84min).



S.K. SLAVIA

S.K. Slavia won their first Central European Cup match surprisingly well and with an unexpectedly high result. The team demonstrated a performance different from their last performances. The team was in exceptional condition. Everything worked out for the Prague team. The first half still showed a somewhat open game for both teams, but it was already clear that the Újpest team was not having a good day. Slavia played with confidence and a formidable performance. The result mainly belongs to Seifert and Plánička, who, especially in the first half, when Kummermann could not take action, kept the guests' start and brought calm to the team.

As usual, when S.K. Slavia needed him, František Plánička produced a first class performance. Plánička covered a number of difficult balls in his unique way, Emil Seifert then took all the appetite for the game from the visitors' attackers with his tricks and loops. Zdeněk Kummermann played poorly in the first half, but he played well after the break and was then a worthy addition to the already named duo.

The half-back line performed a more distributed work, with Josef Pleticha playing more offensively, therefore both wing half-backs performed a more defensive work. Karel Čipera helped Seifert very well, but František Černický still needed to adapt to his new team. Centre-half Pleticha played in his old form. As much as he failed at the end of the game, he was very good at stabilizing the team and, with his schemes, carried out a series of actions for the offensive line.



The forward line sides were better than the inside trio. Kratochvíl being the most dangerous winger. Josef Kratochvíl excelled in his dedication, often threatening the visitors' goal, while Kalmán Bobor was excellent in his technical strengths and participated strongly in two goals.

František Svoboda was the best of the inside trio and the only one who was in full condition to face the two full-backs of Újpest F.C. However, due to an injury in the second half, Svoboda was unable to produce much. The penalty goal scored was his highlight, later he went to the side, as he was no longer being useful to his team. Jindřich Šoltys opened the scoring, but did not show many matches against the opponent's defensive system, in addition to not being able to keep up with Bobor. Karel Bejbl shot a lot to score just one goal; the kick was completely out of balance, a very poor finish.


ÚJPEST F.C.

Újpest F.C., on the other hand, did not have a complete defensive system, but only its first line of full-backs, because the half-back line, mainly the wing half-backs, could not perform the defensive role with regularity and efficiency. For Újpest the 4:0 result was still a good one which did not really reflect what was the match. The Hungarian team played in an unrecognizable way, far below the results recently achieved. He seemed without spirit, without determination and completely without vigor. The public did not expect this performance by Újpest, but a very balanced match.

As much as four goals were scored, the defensive trio — József Beneda, Károly Fogl & József Fogl — was the one that stood out the most in the team, much for the reason that save Újpest from having taken an even more prominent thrashing. Lutz II. was the best in the half-back line, he showed class but without much defensive effectiveness. The wing half-backs went way down.